EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN HEAVY GUN.. 147 



thirteenth century. But his language is characteristically vague ; 

 for, in regard to the mixing of saltpeter with sulphur and another 

 undefined substance, 

 he merely says, "You 

 will thus make thun- 

 der and lightning if 

 you know the method 

 of mixing them." 



Another claimant to 

 the invention of gun- 

 powder was the Ger- 

 man monk, Berthold 

 Schwartz, who is said 

 to have ground togeth- 

 er in a mortar a mix- 

 ture of niter, charcoal, 

 and sulphur. Acci- 

 dentally allowing fire 

 to come into contact 

 with the mixture, an 

 explosion ensued. The 

 pestle was projected 

 from the mortar and 

 from the hand of the 

 surprised alchemist. 

 This suggested the use 

 of the uncanny sub- 

 stance for military purposes, and the mortar was subsequently 

 made on a larger scale for the special purpose of propelling pro- 

 jectiles. 



The determination of the proper percentages of niter, carbon, 

 and sulphur in gunpowder implies a knowledge of the quantita- 

 tive laws of chemistry. It is not to be supposed, therefore, that 

 the earlier users of this explosive were able to make powder 

 equal in quality to that of modern times, or that they knew how 

 to adjust its granulation to the special purposes intended under 

 varying circumstances. The Saracens seem to have introduced 

 it into Spain for pyrotechnic purposes about the same time that 

 Schwartz made his suggestion regarding its most important 

 practical application. Its first definitely known use was for 

 cannon. These were called " bombards," on account of the noise 

 occasioned by firing. 



The primitive cannon was a rude tube made up of iron bars 

 hooped together, edge to edge, like' the staves of a cask. It was 

 by no means readily portable, and was not provided with any 

 wheeled carriage. As an offensive weapon its natural place was 



EoGER Bacon. Born near Ilchester, about 1214; 

 died probably at Oxford in ] 292. 



